Blytheville is alive with the sound of music

For fans of music, this is a good time to live in Blytheville.

For the past several weeks, and in the next couple to come, our community has played host to a nice collection of musical events. For those who have or will take part, it’s a reminder that culture can exist in a town like ours. For those who have been missing it, or don’t plan to check it out ... well, we can just hope they change their minds.

The events kicked off on Feb. 27, when the Arts Council of Mississippi County brought “Bye Bye Birdie” to the Ritz Civic Center Stage. It was a fantastic performance, well enjoyed by the several hundred on hand to see the production by the national touring company.

For me, it was a bit of a flash from the past, as I had a role in the musical when my high school put on the play during my junior year. Songs like “Lot of Livin’ To Do” connected with me, back when I was 17, and the play brought back some fond memories.

That show was followed up by Sunday’s concert by the Choral Music Department at Arkansas Northeastern College, which showcased Broadway-themed music by the college’s three choirs, as well as numerous solos and smaller ensemble performances.

My favorites were the Community Choir’s performance of a medley from “The Sound and Music,” as well as the trio of tenors who performed “Fugue for Tinhorns” from “Guys and Dolls." Many talented singers brought great performances to the Adams-Vines Recital Hall.

The trend will continue Saturday at the Ritz, when the Arts Council holds one of its semi-regular “Support Live Music” fundraising events. This showcase of local garage bands provides young musicians with a chance to showcase their music in a professional environment. The show starts at 7 p.m. Admission is $5.

Then, on Sunday, the local Orpheus Music Club will put on its annual “Musical Dessert.” Beginning at 2:30 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, this event will raise money for the club’s scholarship program. The musical program will be followed by cake and beverages served in the Fellowship Hall. Cost is $5; $3 for students.

The last event on the musical agenda will be musical revue titled "Memories of Broadway," at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 22, at the Adams-Vines Recital Hall at ANC. The event will serve as a fundraiser for the Northeast Arkansas Chapter of the American Red Cross, and tickets are $10. Performances by several local singers and groups are planned, including (begin shameless plug) a number from "High School Musical" by a group of local young people, including the children of yours truly (end shameless plug). It will be good music, and it will support a great cause.

Our community is lucky to have the availability of musical offerings like this. And it’s important for communities to support the arts. Whenever communities or civilizations are judged for their contributions to humanity, it is not wealth or industrial production that are the defining characteristics — it is the arts. The arts are what separate the great civilizations — and the great communities — from all the others.

And it’s good to know that, at least for the month of March, Blytheville is scoring strong.